stretched image on church site from Vidiu unit

[Attila]

We have a basic Vidiu unit (not Pro model) that we are streaming meetings from the Stake Center. The camera image looks good, but when viewing the stream on the church's site (Webcast.churchofjesuschrist.org), the image is stretched horizontally. The Vidiu unit has settings for Widescreen (Auto, On, Off) but nothing changes for any setting. Since the filler feed of the Choir looks good before our feed starts, I'm sure that it's not the church's site, but how it's being broadcast on our end.

I'm at a loss as to where to look next. Any ideas or help?

[Attila]

Additional info: the Snapshot View from the Vidiu unit (logged into IP address) shows a stretched view. So it must be set by the encoder.

[russellhltn]

What is your source? If you're converting from composite video to HDMI, it may be in your converter.

It's possible that the Widescreen setting can't be changed during a stream, but requires you to stop and then restart the stream to take effect.

[Attila]

I'm using the Sony EVI camera that (I believe) was purchased from the church store. I've been playing with settings, but there is nothing for ratio or widescreen.

Correct, the stream must be stopped to change the settings, but it still doesn't alter anything.

[russellhltn]

I'm using the Sony EVI camera that (I believe) was purchased from the church store.

What model? I have a Sony Handycam that was provided. It has both composite and HDMI outputs. It may have menu settings as well.

[lajackson]

I have to make sure that everything in the A/V rack on the way to the VidiU encoder is set to VGA and 720p. Any other setting stretches the video coming out of the encoder.

Our box that converts the composite video to HDMI also has a switch on it. 720p works and 1080p stretches the picture.

[Mikerowaved]

The Sony EVI is a standard definition camera and before the signal from it reaches the VidiU encoder it passes through another box that converts the SD signal to HDMI format, which is the only input the VidiU box has. You can blame this SD to HDMI converter for taking the 4:3 SD signal and "stretching" it to 16:9. Better converters give you different options for converting SD signals, but I don't think the one in the rack does.